Study vocabulary. Honors English classes usually have students memorize the definitions of the top 500 SAT words in anticipation of the exam. You can pick up a book from the library and do this on your own. Another way to build your vocabulary is to keep a notebook while you are doing any reading. Every time you come across a word that you are unfamiliar with, write it down in your notebook, look it up in the dictionary, and write down a general definition.
Study word roots. If you know the meanings of the Greek and Latin root words you can figure out the meaning of a definition by dissecting the word. You can find these in the front of a good dictionary or in an encyclopedia. Make up flash cards to help you study them.
Study the meanings of prefixes and suffixes. Prefixes are syllables that are added before a root word. Suffixes are syllables that are added after a root word. Prefixes can drastically change the meaning of a root word. For example, if you know that "anti" means "against" or "opposite", you can figure out that an "anti-hero" is someone who goes against a hero or is the opposite of a hero. Suffixes usually change the form, but not the meaning, of the word. For instance, "knowable" is something that one is able to know. You can find the meanings of common prefixes and suffixes in a dictionary.
Practice reading comprehension skills. Do a practice SAT section, available in an SAT Test Review Guide, on reading. A good trick is to read the questions before reading the passage. This saves time and helps you to pay attention to the parts that you need to answer the questions.
Practice your essay writing skills. Do some practice SAT essays and bring them to a teacher to review. She should give you pointers on how to improve your essay.
Review your high school math notes and, if necessary, get the help of a tutor if there are any areas you are having difficulty with. Get a practice SAT book from the library and do a practice math section. This will help you to identify the kind of problems you need to work on.
Obtain an SAT Subject Test Guide. Familiarize yourself with the organization of the exam. Ideally you should be taking subject tests at the completion of the coursework so it is fresh in your mind.
Do a complete practice SAT. Make sure your review book is a fairly current version, as the SAT continues to be revised. Time yourself and do a complete section at a time with no distractions. If you do not score well, then consider signing up for a review course. Your high school or public library may offer one free or at low cost.
Get a good night's sleep before the exam. If you eat before bed, make sure it is a healthy, low-salt snack so you do not wake up with a headache. Have a well-balanced breakfast so your brain is working at its optimum potential.